Submitted Biography
I am a husband, father, long-time resident, community leader, an engineer with a Doctorate in Chemical & Petroleum Engineering and over 25 years of experience working in the oil and gas industry. The worrisome state of K-12 public education led me to run for the Colorado Springs School District 11 Board of Education in 2019, and for re-election in 2023. I’ve served as the D11 Board President for the past three years, focused on improving student outcomes and district performance. As the Commissioner on Urban Renewal Authority Board, I supported multiple civic improvement projects to bring affordable housing, new jobs, and neighborhood revitalization. To deliver excellence in education, it required faithful dedication to a simple principle: Putting Students First. It is with a similar simple commitment that I will approach City Council: Colorado Springs First. As your representative, my decisions will be guided by the best interest of our families and the economic vitality of our city.
Sensible Growth & Infrastructure Needs
Sensible growth within established city codes helps meet market demand for affordable housing while preserving the identity and character of established neighborhoods. Every project should be meticulously reviewed, planned and vetted to not overburden the city’s resources and infrastructure.
Public Safety
Recruiting, retaining, and supporting our first responders is critical to ensure swift response times during emergencies. Solutions to address the growing crisis of homelessness must focus on providing a hand-up so impacted individuals can become self-sufficient.
Economic Vitality & Affordability
As cost of living continues to soar, our residents are worried about “kitchen table” issues. It is my priority to minimize housing and utility costs by advocating against costly regulatory hurdles and government overreach. By being business-friendly, we can ensure Colorado Springs is safe, economically vibrant, and affordable for hard-working families.
Since Colorado Springs is a desirable destination, we continue to attract new businesses and residents. By promoting favorable business practices, the city can attract a wide array of diverse industries that offer high paying jobs and economic stability against market fluctuations. Limiting costly regulatory hurdles and unfunded mandates will allow employers to reinvest resources in their workforce. Private businesses should be encouraged to invest in the revitalization of the downtown corridor and underused shopping centers.
While larger national companies look to relocate here, it is necessary to support and grow local businesses by creating business-friendly policies and providing financial incentives. Workforce development in skilled trades should be promoted to fill vacancies in the job market. By putting Colorado Springs First and making decisions that are in the best interests of our families, we can manage growth responsibly while driving the economic vitality of our city.
Colorado Springs has nearly doubled its population in the past 30 years, thereby bringing a market demand for affordable housing. Sensible growth should occur within the bounds of established city policies and plans while preserving the identity of established neighborhoods. Providing multiple housing options that appeal to a broad spectrum of residents will help alleviate housing shortages.
Every new project should be meticulously reviewed and vetted to determine impact on surrounding neighborhoods and current resources. Responsible infill development of blighted spaces can be a cost-effective option by utilizing existing infrastructure. Sequential annexation closer to city limits helps ensure efficient access to utilities. Serving on the Urban Renewal Authority Board, I supported affordable and attainable housing projects in the Southeast (Panorama Heights) and downtown area (Bristow & Lowell Commons). Lastly, limiting regulatory hurdles will result in cost savings for consumers.
As a D11 school board director, I had oversight and accountability of the district’s annual budget which exceeded $500 million. I will bring the same fiscal stewardship of taxpayer dollars by focusing the city budget on providing core municipal services - public safety, emergency management, road maintenance, utilities, parks, transportation etc., while eliminating bureaucratic inefficiencies. Recruiting, retaining, and supporting our law enforcement with competitive compensation is vital for ensuring public safety. Fixing and maintaining roads, to include prompt snow removal, will be a primary area of my budget focus.
As City Council also has oversight of Colorado Springs Utilities, it is critical to ensure our energy and water demands are strategically addressed by securing resources at favorable pricing with the cost savings being passed on to the residents. As a limited government advocate, my budget decisions will be guided by minimizing the pocketbook impact on our residents.
Colorado Springs is at a crossroads with pivotal decisions surrounding growth, public safety, infrastructure, and economic development in the near horizon that could determine the future trajectory of our city. Serving on the District 11 School Board, I advocated transparency and accountability at all levels while putting students first. I will bring the same proven leadership skills to understand the challenges and opportunities facing our city.
As a father and husband, I will prioritize safe neighborhoods and “kitchen table” issues that affect hard working families. As an engineer, my decisions will be driven objectively based on factual data. As a proponent of limited government, I will advocate against costly regulatory hurdles and impact fees to secure affordable housing and cost savings to residents. It is the vision of building a safe, vibrant, sustainable, and thriving city that will be home for current families and future generations that is driving me to run for City Council
The primary obligation of city government should be to serve the greater good of all citizens with common sense decisions, fair policies, and transparent communications. As city council is non-partisan, it is necessary to engage in civil discourse respecting the views of all while avoiding personal attacks. Serving on the D11 School Board, I have a proven track record of listening respectfully, collaborating thoughtfully, and weighing all perspectives objectively while making informed, balanced decisions.
Additionally, it is necessary to have robust public conversations, so the people are informed of the rationale behind critical decisions. I have not missed a single D11 school board meeting in 6 years and promptly respond to constituents. Serving on city council, I will bring the same professional work ethic, be readily accessible and actively engaged in responding to the needs of my constituents. I will bring proven leadership skills with a commitment to serving all residents.
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Submitted Biography
As a Purdue University graduate with a decade of professional experience in financial planning and counseling, I have a strong background in fiscal responsibility, transparency, and caring. Most Importantly to you and this elected position, I have never and will never accept donations from special interest groups, ensuring my independence and commitment to serving the people. Growing up in a homeschooled Christian family instilled in me the values of integrity, compassion, and civic duty. I will fearlessly advocate for the citizens of this community, not participate in the corrupt political processes that have plagued our city. A vote for me is a vote for honest, principled leadership that puts the needs of the people first. In this role, I am uniquely qualified to discern truth from lies and provide the transparent, accountable representation this position demands. I will speak candidly, without fear or favor, to move our community forward.
My top priorities for the office focus on addressing District 6's most pressing issues. First, I will engage with the community to develop a sustainable land use plan that reflects residents' needs. Second, I will work diligently to ensure our police force is adequately funded to maintain crime and public safety, advocating for competitive wages to attract and retain skilled officers. Lastly, I will prioritize preserving our open spaces while managing the challenges of rapid growth, promoting policies that balance development with environmental stewardship. In my first 100 days, I will initiate town hall meetings to gather input and build consensus on these and other citizen lead initiatives.
To support a vibrant economy, we must take decisive actions that empower our communities. First, we can prioritize local business spending, ensuring that our investments circulate within our neighborhoods. We will foster entrepreneurship by providing resources and mentorship to aspiring business owners. Investing in roads and infrastructure will create jobs and enhance connectivity, while promoting education and skills development will equip our workforce for the challenges of the future. We can create a thriving, resilient economy that benefits all citizens and positions our region as a leader in innovation and growth. Together, we can build a prosperous future. Infrastructure is what our economy can use to continue to grow, downtown does not need to be so quiet most nights.
To address the housing affordability crisis and the needs of the unhoused, we can solve this but it has to be through education and as I have said before, turning this into a self healing system. This includes promoting careers in skilled trades to build a robust workforce, opening up to small builders and fixing building material supply chains to reduce costs. We cannot just hand the permission slip to builders to build more overpriced luxury homes and not get in the trenches and innovate our way out of this. The solution needs to benefit us all and not take from another area we are trying to maintain, like open space.
Balancing the budget requires a disciplined approach akin to managing a family business. My years of trading in the stock market have cultivated a healthy skepticism towards risk, prompting me to prioritize stability and accountability. Factors guiding my financial decisions include transparency, the elimination of wasteful expenditures, and a vigilant eye against corruption. By reassigning misallocated funds, we can ensure our police receive fair compensation, reflecting their critical role in our communities. This means making tough choices and fostering open dialogue to prioritize public safety and fiscal responsibility. It’s time to invest in our future with integrity and prudence.
To end the long line of corruption and selling out to special interest groups for so many years, I asked myself if I just want to sit around and complain or answer the call to serve and try to be part of the solution. I refuse to become an old man who did nothing. This city was once great; it can be great again. I am committed to working tirelessly to restore its former glory and ensure its continued success for future generations. Our community deserves leaders who prioritize the public good over personal gain, and I want to be that leader.
I would like to see the implementation of a city-wide app where citizens can express their opinions through weekly or monthly questions. This would not create binding votes but rather provide city council members with valuable insights into the desires and concerns of their constituents. By actively engaging with the public, we can foster a more responsive and accountable government. Such an initiative would help bridge the gap between elected officials and the community, ensuring decisions are more reflective of the people's will. Ultimately, this could enhance civic participation and trust in local governance.
